BREAKING: Virat Kohli Silences Sachin Tendulkar as India Storms to Thumping Win over Pakistan in 2025 Champions Trophy
Mumbai, India: In a moment that has sent shockwaves throughout the cricket world, India’s star batsman Virat Kohli surpassed the all-time great Sachin Tendulkar’s milestone of 18,426 international runs as India coasted to a dominant 150-run victory over Pakistan in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Karachi on Sunday.
Chasing a daunting target of 235, Pakistan was reduced to 64 for 5 in the 17th over before Hasan Ali and Shadab Khan’s valiant fightback reduced the deficit to 70 runs. However, India’s pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd Shami, and Shardul Thakur wrapped up the tail in a flash to mop up the victory.
Tendulkar, who was in attendance at the venue, looked on crestfallen as Kohli, his former teammate and acolyte, transcended his legendary status with a majestic 89-ball 124, studded with 12 boundaries and two sixes.
Kohli, who has long been tipped as the next big thing in Indian cricket, etched his name in the record books alongside Tendulkar, his childhood idol, to join an elite club of greats. The 32-year-old’s staggering average of 58.50, the best in the world, since the start of 2020, left the Pakistani batsmen in tatters.
With this win, India reclaimed the ICC Champions Trophy, its fourth title in the competition. The team’s captain, Rohit Sharma, was ecstatic, saying, "What a day for Indian cricket! Virat’s innings was simply incredible. We had hoped to replicate the magic of 2007, and today we did just that."
Tendulkar, whose only half-century in his last 15 innings, struggled to contain his emotions. "Virat has always been a special talent, and today’s performance only cements his status as one of the all-time greats. I’m extremely proud of him and the way he’s carried the torch of Indian cricket forward."
Kohli’s milestone shot sparks pandemonium in the Indian dugout, as teammates mobbed him in jubilation. "It’s surreal, to be honest," Kohli said, beaming. "I’ve always idolized Sachin bhai and to follow in his footsteps is a dream come true. This win is for the team, and I’m honored to lead this group of talented cricketers."
Pakistan’s coach, Misbah-ul-Haq, lamented, "We simply got outsmarted by a clinical Indian team. Kohli’s innings was unstoppable, and we could not contain him. We now need to regroup and reassess our approach before the World Cup in 2026."
As the Indian players celebrated, Tendulkar, a figure of immortality in Indian cricket, was visibly moved, a small part of him replaced by the young gun who had just usurped his throne. For now, the debate will rage on: Who is the new master of Indian batting? The answer, it seems, is known – and it’s none other than the mighty Virat Kohli.
